Safe and secure management of ammunition through the UN SaferGuard Programme

Congo Brazaville explosion
Devastation from a 2012 ammunition depot explosion in Brazzaville, Congo.
Photo: Erwan Morand.

In more than 100 countries, over the past five decades, poorly-managed ammunition stockpiles have resulted in explosions, often bringing about humanitarian disasters. Thousands of people have been killed, injured and displaced, and the livelihoods of entire communities have been disrupted.

In addition to the humanitarian and socio-economic consequences, unsecured or poorly managed ammunition stockpiles fuel insecurity. Massive diversion of ammunition to illicit markets has been a catalyst for armed conflict, organized crime and terrorism. Moreover, diverted ammunition is increasingly used to assemble improvised explosive devices.

Taken together, these consequences demonstrate the very serious safety and security challenges posed by inadequately-managed stockpiles.

In response to these concerns, the General Assembly requested the United Nations to develop guidelines for adequate ammunition management to ensure that the United Nations consistently delivers high-quality advice and support (A/RES/63/61). 

As a result, the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG) were developed in 2011 and the UN SaferGuard Programme was established as the corresponding knowledge management platform.

The UN SaferGuard Programme, managed by the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs oversees the maintenance, updating and dissemination of the IATG.

Casualties of unplanned explosions at munitions sites (UEMS) 1979-2021

Graph of casualties
Graphic provided by Small Arms Survey

 

IATG Implementation Support Toolkit

The web-based applications in this toolkit support the implementation of the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG). The scientific background of the underlying formulae is summarized and referenced in IATG 1.80.

Ammunition experts are invited to use the resources on this website to implement best-practices that will improve the safety, security and efficiency in conventional ammunition stockpile management. These tools may also be used to communicate safety and security requirements to policy-makers and other stakeholders.

International Ammunition Technical Guidelines

IATG Version 3 is currently available in Arabic, French and English. The Office for Disarmament Affairs will continue to strive to make the IATG available in additional languages.

Please consult the AMAT Insights for a practical and detailed overview of the amendments made in IATG Version 3, the rationale behind them, and their expected impact.

      Compiled Arabic version of the IATG

      Compiled English version of the IATG

      Compiled French version of the IATG

      IATG Online Digital Tool

01 - Introduction and Principles of Ammunition Management

01.10 - Guide to the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG)
     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

01.20 - Index of risk reduction process levels (RRPL) within IATG

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

01.30 - Policy development and advice

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

01.35 - Organisational Capabilities

     Version 3: Arabic English French

01.40 - Glossary of terms, definitions and abbreviations

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

01.50 - UN explosive hazard classification system and codes

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

01.60 - Ammunition faults and performance failures

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

01.70 - Bans and constraints

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

01.80 - Formulae for ammunition management

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

01.90 - Ammunition management personnel competences (new module)

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

02 - Risk Management

02.10 - Introduction to risk management principles and processes
     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

02.20 - Quantity and separation distances

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

02.30 - Licensing of explosive facilities

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

02.40 - Safeguarding of explosive facilities

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

02.50 - Fire safety

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

03 - Ammunition Accounting

03.10 - Inventory management

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

03.20 - Lotting and batching

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

04 - Explosive Facilities (Storage) (Field and Temporary Conditions)

04.10 - Temporary storage

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

05 - Explosives Facilities (Storage) (Infrastructure and Equipment)

05.10 - Planning and siting of explosives facilities

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

05.20 - Types of buildings for explosives facilities

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

05.30 - Traverses and barricades

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

05.40 - Safety standards for electrical installations

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

05.50 - Vehicles and mechanical handling equipment (MHE) in explosives facilities

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

05.60 - Radio frequency hazards

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

06 - Explosive Facilities (Storage) (Operations)

06.10 - Control of explosives facilities
     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

06.20 - Storage space requirements

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

06.30 - Storage and handling

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

06.40 - Ammunition packaging and marking

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

06.50 - Specific safety precautions (storage and operations)

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

06.60 - Works services (construction and repair)           

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

06.70 - Inspection of explosives facilities

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

07 - Ammunition Processing

07.10 - Safety and risk reduction (ammunition processing operations)

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

07.20 - Inspection of ammunition

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

07.30 - Ammunition processing operations - Safety, risk reduction and mitigation

     Version 3: Arabic English French

08 - Transport of Ammunition

08.10 - Transport of ammunition

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

08.20 - Storage and handling of ammunition and explosives at airfields

     Version 3: Arabic English French

09 - Security of Ammunition

09.10 - Security principles and systems

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

10 - Ammunition Demilitarization and Destruction

10.10 - Demilitarization and destruction and logistic disposal of conventional ammunition

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

11 - Ammunition Accidents, Reporting and Investigation

11.10 - Ammunition accidents: reporting and investigation

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

11.20 - Clearance storage area explosions – EOD clearance

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

12 - Ammunition Operational Support

12.10 - Ammunition on multi-national operations

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish

12.20 - Small unit ammunition storage

     Version 3: Arabic English French

     Version 2: Portuguese Russian Spanish